For towns, their train's coming in

As they await the arrival of the Greenbush commuter rail line, Braintree and Weymouth are joining forces to help a shared business district take full advantage of the train service.

The neighboring communities are collaborating on a bid for $1 million in state funds to spruce up the appearance of the Weymouth Landing streetscape.

Repaved streets and sidewalks, old-fashioned lighting, and new trees are among the possible improvements that receipt of the grant could bring to the area, which straddles the line between east Braintree and the western part of Weymouth along Route 53.

The 18-mile restored Greenbush line, now slated for completion in 2007, is to pass through Weymouth Landing, the site of one of its seven new commuter rail stations. Leaders in the two communities say they hope to build on the positive change the rail line is expected to bring to the business district.

The MBTA is also investing in a number of ''mitigation" measures in Weymouth Landing.

One is the reconstruction of a municipal parking lot, used by both Braintree and Weymouth, next to the site of the planned Greenbush station. Another is construction of a road between Quincy Avenue in Braintree and Commercial Street in Weymouth that will connect the parking lot and the drop-off area for the station. Streetscape improvements will be included in the lot and along the road.

The T is also developing two new parking lots -- one in each community-- and paying for new traffic signals.

''With the Greenbush coming through and the station being there, it gives us an opportunity to help revitalize that area," said Weymouth Mayor David M. Madden. And, he said, ''It only makes sense if both communities work together on it."

The communities will seek funding for the streetscape work through the state's Public Works Economic Development grant program, which awards money to municipalities for transportation projects that have the potential to stimulate economic growth.

The state Executive Office of Transportation awarded grants of varying amounts for seven PWED projects, for a total of $7 million, in fiscal year 2005, according to agency spokesman Erik Abell. He said the process is competitive, with 70 grant applications pending for this year. There are no set deadlines for applications, and no specific timelines for how soon the state acts on them, he said.

Madden and Braintree Board of Selectmen chairman Charles Kokoros came up with the idea of a joint grant application recently in discussing ways the communities could collaborate to improve Weymouth Landing. Braintree has used public works grants for streetscape projects in South Braintree Square and Braintree Square.

Madden and Braintree selectmen have asked members of their planning staffs to work together to develop the grant application. The communities might also look at grant opportunities to help businesses improve their store facades.

With the neighboring communities dividing responsibility for Weymouth Landing, Kokoros said, ''Over the years, there really hasn't been any single ownership of the area, as far as someone taking charge to fix it up.

''But we feel with the ongoing Greenbush mitigation, it's a good time for us to complete the square and to bring it up to a better economic standard through repaving of sidewalks and other aesthetics, such as what we've done in our other squares in Braintree," he said.

''The relationship between the two communities is strong and we've worked together on the Greenbush project," Kokoros said. ''We're looking to carry that relationship forward."

He also said that given the state's interest in promoting economic development near transit facilities, as part of its ''smart growth" initiatives, ''it makes sense for them to look at this PWED favorably."

Krystal Mavrides, whose family runs Helen's restaurant on the Braintree side of Weymouth Landing, welcomes any improvements to the neighborhood.

''I think it could use a little shaping up," she said. ''I would like to see old lights. I think we should get another crosswalk in here, maybe some boutiques. It's just not what it used to be."

Marta Googins, president of the Braintree Board of Trade, is also supportive. She said the streetscape improvements to Braintree and South Braintree squares made a difference.

''It gave a new look to both squares," she said, noting that both were ''very old and in need of a lot of repairs. This just made them fresh and new looking."

James Clarke, Weymouth's director of planning and community development, said the project aims to develop ''unifying design themes" for Weymouth Landing that would encompass both its Weymouth and Braintree sections. He said planners would also seek to ensure that the improvements mesh with the MBTA's efforts in the municipal parking lot and the connector road.

''If we can start to create an environment where commuters feel a connection with the Weymouth Landing area, maybe that will help improve business there," Madden said.

''It's kind of exciting both communities are getting together on one project, and working to do things hopefully for the benefit of both."